The UK has announced a 50.2% cut in aid to Nigeria, as part of a broader overhaul that will affect all 34 African countries. The move is part of the UK's effort to reduce its Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget to 0.3% of Gross National Income (GNI).

According to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Nigeria's allocation will drop from £136.62 million in 2025-2026 to £68 million in 2028-2029. The UK government said it would focus on war-torn countries and those facing serious humanitarian crises, with Kenya set to suffer the steepest cut at 92.5% to £5 million.

The cut is part of a global trend, with the US, Germany and other European countries also scaling back aid budgets to fund domestic priorities and defence spending. The UK's decision has been welcomed by the Nigerian government, which has been urging donors to increase assistance to the country.

The UK's Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said the cuts followed difficult decisions but insisted that Britain was not "walking away from our values." Cooper said the UK would continue to deliver through modernised partnerships and make the most of its resources.

Other African countries hit harder include South Africa, which will receive zero allocation by 2029 after suffering a 59.5% cut in two years to 2027-2028. The Sahel Department, which covers funding for regional programmes, saw a 33.2% cut to £67.8m, while Africa and Expertise Departments suffered an 83% cut to £24m.

The UK's decision has been met with criticism from aid groups, who warned that the cuts could have severe consequences for development projects in Africa. The UK's aid budget has already been reduced by £4 billion since 2019, with the majority of the cuts coming from the Department for International Development (DFID).

Despite the criticism, the UK government remains committed to its aid agenda, with a focus on delivering value for money and achieving better outcomes. The UK's aid budget will be reviewed annually, with the aim of ensuring that the country's assistance is effective and efficient.

Yvette Cooper said the UK would continue to deliver aid through modernised partnerships and make the most of its resources. Cooper added that the UK's six refreshed priorities would tackle the country's most intractable problems head-on, including hybrid threats and climate change.

The UK's aid cuts are part of a broader trend in the global donor community, with many countries scaling back aid budgets to fund domestic priorities and defence spending. The shift in aid flows is expected to have significant implications for development projects in Africa, with many countries reliant on external assistance to achieve their development goals.

Nigeria, which has been one of the largest recipients of UK aid, will suffer significant cuts under the new plan. The country's aid allocation will drop from £136.62 million in 2025-2026 to £68 million in 2028-2029, a cut of 50.2%.

The Nigerian government has been urging donors to increase assistance to the country, which is facing significant development challenges, including poverty and inequality. The government has also been pushing for more efficient and effective use of aid, with a focus on delivering better outcomes.

The UK's aid cuts are expected to have significant implications for development projects in Nigeria, with many organizations relying on external assistance to deliver their programmes. The cuts will also impact on the country's ability to address pressing development challenges, including poverty and inequality.

Yvette Cooper's statement on aid cuts

"The Department's ODA spending plans for 2026–29 reflect the trajectory of this reduction and how the UK is modernising its approach to development, in line with the Foreign Secretary's 19 March 2026 Written Ministerial Statement (HCWS1425) and Oral Statement to the House...